J. C. Ayer's Hair Vigor - The Best Hair Dressing, Lowell Ma

James C. Ayer was a 19th century producer of proprietary medicines, based in Lowell MA, not far from where I live. Private die revenue stamps were issued to pay the tax on his medicines. Here is a interesting collateral item - a advertising card for J.C. Ayer's Hair Vigor.

Woq, I gotta say that is a classic... Real nice stuff you got there Tom... You seem to have many non-stamps-that-are-nice-objects-for-us-to-see.

Why didn't I also post a J. C. Ayer medicine stamp? Because I don't have one yet!

There is a sweet one however in the Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Sale 953 this month:



J. C. Ayer & Co., 4c Blue, Wmk. Paper (RS10d). Large margins, deep rich color, Very Fine and choice, only 62 are recorded in Aldrich census, ex Joyce.

Maybe this stamp was designed to go over the bottle cap? I have never seen one on an old J.C. Ayer medicine bottle.

Tom, what do they expect this J. C. Ayer medicine stamp to fetch at auction? Do they give a figure?

No estimates are given on the Siegel web site. Catalog value is $325, which is for a stamp with small defects. I expect this choice example in this premier sale will bring at least 2-3X catalog.

Thanks, it is a very nice copy.

Onece again very nice examples. I in awe of all the things stamps were used for.
And don't be sad all things come to those who have patience.

Here is another advertising card from J.C. Ayer:



This was from a time long before the FDA existed and medicines were largely unregulated.

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Tom, what do they expect this J. C. Ayer medicine stamp to fetch at auction? Do they give a figure?

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It went for $500, so with juice it came to $575.

Siegel is now auctioning off a spectacular collection of encased postage stamps. These were used as a substitute for small change during the Civil War and are highly sought after by both coin collectors and stamp collectors. Here is one example of a J. C. Ayer piece from the The Summit Collection of United States Encased Postage.



Take Ayer's Pills, 12c Black (EP12). Stamp beautifully positioned with "U.S. Postage" and "Twelve Cents" labels fully visible, silvering on reverse with the raised letters colored in a golden brown shade, slight scratches on right obverse case tab. This 12c Take Ayer's Pill's has a rarity rating of R-8 (5-10 known) in the Reed census. (2008 SCV $2500.)

Never saw anything like it. That's nice.

I noticed the encased postage stamp listings many years ago while browsing through the back pages of the Scott US Specialized catalog. You just don't see them for sale too often.

I love it! Something new around every corner from you, Tom! Thanks for sharing! I like the "It makes the weak strong"--probably had a tiny bit of alcohol in it, do you think?! ha

Gussyboy1